In response to American Legion Post 238 in Safety Harbor supplying the Rays with a banner they could hang in their clubhouse, manager Joe Maddon offered to pick up the tab for them Wednesday night for all the beers, pickled eggs and sausages they wanted. Maddon, who couldn't attend, was pleased to hear of the "great turnout," including a tab of $528.70. Quipped Maddon: "I also heard they were able to collect dues that were in arrears by certain fellows that showed up that hadn't been there in a while."

AL race for wild cards

Team W L Pct. GB

Tampa Bay 70 55 .560—

Oakland 67 57 .540—

Baltimore 67 57 .540—

Detroit 67 57 .540—

Los Angeles 65 60 .520 2½

Top two wild cards make postseason; GB is games behind second wild-card team

Nice curves?

Hanging from LHP Matt Moore's locker was a schedule for nearly every minute of the day when he starts, from when he should be dressed to when he warms up. Moore noticed the neat penmanship of pitching coach Jim Hickey's schedule. "It's pretty girly," Moore said. "I think he knows that, too. We've talked about it before."